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Strathmore 400 Series Tape Bound Pastel Pad, 80 lb. Textured Surface, 9 X 12 inches, Assorted Colors, 24 Sheets (403-9)
Best pastel paper

Strathmore

Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad

A tape-bound pad of 24 sheets of 80 lb pastel paper in assorted colors, 9 x 12 inches, with a subtle texture for oil, soft or hard pastels.

Best for: Oil, soft and hard pastel artists who want assorted colored sheets

Size
9 x 12 in
Paper
80 lb pastel
Sheets
24, assorted colors
Binding
Tape bound

Buy it if

  • You work in oil pastel, soft pastel or hard pastel and want paper made for it
  • You want toned, colored sheets instead of plain white
  • You want 24 sheets in a 9 x 12 inch pad

Skip it if

  • You use wet media. The listing names oil, soft and hard pastel only
  • You build many heavy soft pastel layers. The Somime Sanded Pastel Paper has an abrasive surface that its listing says grips each layer

What the Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad is

The Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad is a 9 x 12 inch, tape-bound pad of 24 sheets of 80 lb pastel paper in assorted colors. Strathmore describes the paper as having a subtle texture that is ideal for oil pastel.

Strathmore also lists it for soft and hard pastel drawings. Colored sheets give you a toned ground to start from, a common reason to choose colored paper for pastel, so light and dark marks both show.

Key features, explained

Based on the manufacturer's Amazon listing.

  • Subtle texture for pastel

    Strathmore describes a subtle texture and names oil pastel as its ideal match.

  • Works with soft and hard pastel too

    The listing also names soft and hard pastel drawings.

  • Assorted colored sheets

    A toned background lets you place highlights and shadows against a color instead of white.

  • 80 lb paper

    Each of the 24 sheets is 80 lb pastel paper.

  • 9 x 12 inch tape-bound pad

    The sheets are tape bound, per the listing title.

Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad specifications

Type
Pastel paper pad
Size
9 x 12 in
Weight
80 lb
Sheets
24
Colors
Assorted
Surface
Subtle texture
Binding
Tape bound
Best for
Oil pastel, also soft and hard pastel
Series
Strathmore 400
Model
P403-9

Who the Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad suits

  • Oil pastel artists. Strathmore names oil pastel as the ideal match for this texture.
  • Soft and hard pastel drawing. The listing names soft and hard pastel drawings as well.
  • Students learning toned-paper drawing. A mix of colors lets you try which paper tone suits each subject.

Look elsewhere if: you want a surface that takes many heavy layers of soft pastel. The Somime Sanded Pastel Paper is 600gsm with a sanded surface.

Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad vs similar picks

  • Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad

    Size
    9 x 12 in
    Weight
    80 lb
    Sheets
    24, assorted colors
    Surface
    Subtle texture

    Choose it for: Assorted colored sheets for oil pastel

  • Somime Sanded Pastel Paper

    Size
    9 x 12 in
    Weight
    600gsm
    Sheets
    12 (6 colors)
    Surface
    Sanded

    Choose it for: Heavy layering on a sanded tooth

Before you buy

  • The listing names oil, soft and hard pastel. It does not mention watercolor or other wet media.
  • Pastel smudges, so spray with fixative or store finished sheets with glassine on top.
  • There are 24 sheets, so plan how many studies and finished pieces you need.

Frequently asked questions about the Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad

What is Strathmore 400 Series pastel paper used for?
Strathmore names oil pastel as the ideal match for its subtle texture, and also lists soft and hard pastel drawings.
Why use colored paper for pastel?
A toned background unifies the drawing and lets both light and dark pastels stand out.
Does Strathmore pastel paper work with charcoal?
The listing does not say. It names oil pastel, soft pastel and hard pastel only.
Can I use watercolor on Strathmore 400 pastel paper?
The listing does not say it can. It names only oil, soft and hard pastel.
How many sheets are in the Strathmore 400 pastel pad?
24 sheets of 80 lb paper in assorted colors, in a 9 x 12 inch tape-bound pad.

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Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad

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